Visiting Riverheads exploded for six runs in the top of the second inning tonight, and with the game still somewhat in doubt in the late innings, settled the issue emphatically with some clutch relief pitching and a 7-run rampage in the seventh to hand the homestanding Indians a lopsided 15-4 loss.
Fort had actually taken a 3-1 lead in the first, thanks to a two-run blast from Sam Garber. Riverheads then opened the second with back to back doubles to start their first big inning. Between those two hits and some erratic pitching from the Indians, the Gladiators took advantage of an assortment of wild pitches, walks and hit batsmen to move out to a 7-3 lead.
The Indians closed to within 7-4 and Riverheads added one more tally to make it 8-4 after six innings. Ethan Fitzgerald worked the first five for the Big Red and kept the Indians pretty much handcuffed other than the Garber round-tripper. He was then relieved by Logan Austin who pitched his way out of bases-loaded jams in both the fifth and sixth innings.
With the score standing at 8-4 during those two frames, we might have had a different ending if the home team could have broken through. Instead, as already mentioned the Gladiators then turned the game into a rout with their seven-run seventh inning.
Unfortunately I can't provide any details about that big inning because I actually left after six, assuming that the Gladiators had it in the bag. So if anyone else wants to chime in and give more details about the big inning, feel free.
Riverheads is scheduled to hit the road again today (Wednesday) for a make-up date at Central Woodstock. The weather is calling for some scattered and hopefully light showers, so fingers crossed that we can get that one in.
Fort had actually taken a 3-1 lead in the first, thanks to a two-run blast from Sam Garber. Riverheads then opened the second with back to back doubles to start their first big inning. Between those two hits and some erratic pitching from the Indians, the Gladiators took advantage of an assortment of wild pitches, walks and hit batsmen to move out to a 7-3 lead.
The Indians closed to within 7-4 and Riverheads added one more tally to make it 8-4 after six innings. Ethan Fitzgerald worked the first five for the Big Red and kept the Indians pretty much handcuffed other than the Garber round-tripper. He was then relieved by Logan Austin who pitched his way out of bases-loaded jams in both the fifth and sixth innings.
With the score standing at 8-4 during those two frames, we might have had a different ending if the home team could have broken through. Instead, as already mentioned the Gladiators then turned the game into a rout with their seven-run seventh inning.
Unfortunately I can't provide any details about that big inning because I actually left after six, assuming that the Gladiators had it in the bag. So if anyone else wants to chime in and give more details about the big inning, feel free.
Riverheads is scheduled to hit the road again today (Wednesday) for a make-up date at Central Woodstock. The weather is calling for some scattered and hopefully light showers, so fingers crossed that we can get that one in.
